Pampore – Jammu and Kashmir is all set for its first assembly elections in a decade, with polling for the first phase scheduled on Wednesday, September 18. The elections mark a significant moment for the union territory, with the last assembly polls held in 2014.
In this phase, 24 assembly constituencies across the Chenab Valley districts of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and South Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian will go to the polls. The campaign trail has seen political parties and independent candidates actively engaging with voters across these regions.
A total of 3,276 polling stations have been established for the seven districts, comprising 302 urban and 2,974 rural stations. Over 14,000 polling staff, including presiding officers, will be deployed to ensure smooth operations.
In this first phase, 2,327,580 electors are eligible to cast their vote, including 11,76,462 male voters, 11,51,058 female voters, and 60 third-gender voters. Additionally, the electorate includes 1.23 lakh youth aged 18-19, 28,309 persons with disabilities (PwDs), and 15,774 elderly voters aged over 85.
Polling will take place from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with mock polls conducted earlier in the presence of polling agents. Voters in the queue after 6:00 PM will still be allowed to vote. Each polling station will provide assured minimum facilities, such as drinking water, electricity, ramps, toilets, and wheelchairs for those in need.
Special provisions have been made for senior citizens and people with disabilities, including separate queues and braille-script ballot units. Voter help desks, managed by Booth Level Officers (BLOs), will also be available at every polling station. Additionally, there will be 24 women-managed “Pink Polling Stations,” 24 stations manned by specially-abled persons, and 24 managed by youths. To promote environmental awareness, 24 “Green Polling Stations” have also been set up.
Tight Security in Place for Safe Elections
Elaborate security arrangements have been implemented across Jammu and Kashmir to ensure a smooth, free, and fair election process. Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi, confirmed that multi-tier security measures have been deployed, with Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP), and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) overseeing the process.
“The security forces are vigilant to maintain peace and ensure that people can vote without fear,” Birdi stated. He emphasized that the elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, are a crucial step in reinforcing democracy in the region.
The first phase will be followed by polling for 26 seats on September 25 and 40 seats in the final phase on October 1. The counting of votes is scheduled for October 8.
